NING
is a social networking web site. It allows for collaboration and sharing of ideas and resources with others. Users can post onto blogs, forums, groups and enter comments. Users can also upload vides and pictures. It can be set up as an extension of the classroom; with assignments and resource links to content.

In a classroom setting a NING network can be used:

· To highlight student writings (learning logs, journals, poetry, etc.)
· To promote special class or school events (Fieldtrips, Sporting game schedules, Book fair, Parent Night, etc.)
· To promote communication and collaboration for student group projects.

NING is no longer free but the cost is minimal and you must register to become a member. As the teacher, you set up as Network Administrator. Students can set up their own personalized pages within the network. Make sure you have a targeted group in mind when you sign up and invite only those members to join. Security settings can be set up to limit any features not desired.Use the link below to register:

http://www.ning.com/main/signup?target=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ning.com%2F


An example of a NING created for elementary students as content:
http://www.columbus.ning.com/

An example of a NING created for a middle school class as a collaborative network:
http://www.ortizavid.ning.com

Here is a link to a school library NING:
http://www.ortizlibrary.ning.com/


S
teps for setting up a classroom NING:
1. Sign up and register for a NING page. Name your NING and set self up as Network Administrator.

external image File?id=dd2mtn2v_1g9t2h9ck_bexternal image File?id=dd2mtn2v_2sbzmt9gq_b
2. Describe your network.
external image File?id=dd2mtn2v_3gk2pkzg5_b
3.
Add features to your template, such as: Events, Groups,Chat, Photos, RSS feeds, Video, Birthdays, etc.

external image File?id=dd2mtn2v_4c686jzcd_b
4.
Customize appearance by choosing premade backgrounds, or upload your own; then LAUNCH.

external image File?id=dd2mtn2v_57cn6dsf4_b5.
Add content and then send invitations to your students and staff to become members.

Document created by Barbara Rivas. October 27, 2009, updated 9/24/2010